Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hello David,

I got tho this last example and have attempted to play itm but am facing troubles with the rythmic part: especially the triplets.

I assume I am suposed to swing it, but I am really lost with those triplets :(.

Would you mind posting a recorded example of how it should be played?

Thanks in advance!

I'm an absolute beginner and have just started level in levels of achievement. I've watched the first couple of videos and you mentioned all we will need is an A key harmonica, all i've got is a C key. So my question is will i be able to learn just fine with a C key harmonica? Do you have any suggestions for what I should do to make sure i learn properly?

Cheers,

Adam

Hi.

I'm a beginner and I have no idea about harmonica. I have a C harmonica, Hohner Silver Star. In the Levels of Achievement section, specifically does the Level 1 lessons require only A harmonica or does C harmonica fits, too?

Thanks. 

Hi.

I'm a beginner and I have no idea about harmonica. I have a C harmonica, Hohner Silver Star. In the Levels of Achievement section, specifically does the Level 1 lessons require only A harmonica or does C harmonica fits, too?

Thanks. 

Hello David,

So I have a question about octaves. So +1 and +4 is an octave, -1 and -4 is an octave and so is +2 +5 but -2 -5 isn't.

Okay the question. First I've noticed ppl playing the -2 -5 as an octave ( here's an example of someone talking about using a -2 -5 at 3:00 minutes in : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKJ_diG4_Tw ) continue reading...

Hello David, congratulations for this site!  I´m three weeks whit the lessons and they are very instructives even for my poor english level.

I practice with a Honner Special 20 harp, and I have this problem:  the draw reeds are blocked very often and I can´t draw and make sound. I have to stop, tap the harmonica for remove the saliva, and then I can replay.  But its very very often, I can´t play 12 bars in a row whitout blocking one or several draw reeds.

Am I doing something technically wrong?  Is there any way to avoid it?

Thaks you in advance, continue reading...

Hi

I have just subscrbed to your online lessons. Do you have transcripts of your theory lessons? As these don't contain a practical component, I would like to be able to read the lesson content quickly, homing in on only the bits I need rather than listening to the whole lesson which is quite time consuing. (I have some idea of much of the theory already, having previously played the flute.)

Best wishes

Julie

Hello David,

So I am on Solo harmonica studdy 2 example 2.1.

There are quite some inhale notes and cords there, espacially if I want to repeat the pattern a couple of times I cant help but get fuller and fuller of air that I have trouble dumping out.

I have checked the FAQ breathing hints and also Joe Filisco's lesson on breathing, so am trying to follow the guidelines there but even if I dump all the airat the beginning and as much as I try to keep it out I still get full. continue reading...

I've got pretty good at bending draw holes 1 to 7 on the A harmonica (with just 1 full-step for hole 3), but I don't know why I can't get the full bend for the draw 5! I can go from D to C# + 50% (I'm using a digital tuner) but, if I try to go below it, the reed stops making a sound and it starts to make a weird rattle (I can hear it vibrating inside the harmonica like it's vibrating slow) and my tuner says it's ringing a G (even though it's not hearable). Is something wrong with the harmonica or with my technique? It's the only hole I'm having trouble with.

Hello David.  Hope you and family are safe during these troubling times.  I can't download David's Corner March 2020. Has the format been changed?